NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – There has been one day each May for the past six years that the community has come together and showered The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee nonprofits with its generosity.

This year a record number of area nonprofits are busy preparing in a big way for The Big Payback’s seventh annual, 24-hour online giving day,  to celebrate the spirit of giving and collaboration, and ultimately, the extraordinary work that nonprofits do in Middle Tennessee.

A total of 988 Middle Tennessee nonprofits from 34 counties, including 18 from Montgomery County, will be participating in The Big Payback, an initiative of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, on May 6-7. First-time participants include 108 organizations spanning 15 counties.

Starting at 6 p.m., on Wednesday, May 6, there is 24 hours to make donations to a wide swath of organizations at TheBigPayback.org.

Together, for the past six years, The Big Payback cumulatively raised nearly $17 million with a total of 115,890 donations for area schools, religious institutions and charities working hard to make a difference. And this year, more than ever, nonprofits need our support.

Middle Tennesseans are now facing an uncertainty that stems from multiple disasters and the aftermath: loss of homes, jobs, business, and health. The unfolding economic impact of these disasters has forced hundreds of organizations to slow down or put their important work on hold at a time when they are needed most.

These organizations: feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, fight for the rights of the underserved,  foster the animals , preserve the arts, provide a safe haven, Protect the environment , Teaching the children ∙ Taking care of each other.

Last year’s event raised a record $4,106,182 for 964 organizations from 28,458 total gifts. That surpassed the 2018 totals of more than $3.1 million in donations, from 22,071 total gifts.

“Nonprofits do important, life-changing work every day across Middle Tennessee,” said Ellen Lehman, president of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. “Over the years, The Big Payback has become an opportunity for us to come together as a community to support their efforts and recognize the positive impact they have on our neighbors. It’s an easy and meaningful way for us to show our local pride, give back, and make an enormous impact in so doing!

“…But this year in a time where so many of us are spending our days at home, we hope that you will get online at TheBigPayback.org and look at the stories of local nonprofits and their work, day in and day out,” Lehman said. “We hope you will find new nonprofits — like those who have been making masks to keep us safe from the coronavirus — and you will encourage old nonprofit friends like the public library to continue to bring out the best of us by teaching us to read or how to expand our horizons.

“Remember: If you live here, give here.”

Participating organizations from Montgomery County include:

  • The Clarksville-Montgomery County Historical Museum / Customs House Museum & Cultural Center
  • Progressive Directions, Inc.
  • United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region
  • Clarksville-Montgomery County Education Foundation
  • Manna Cafe Ministries
  • Roxy Productions, Inc.
  • Clarksville-Montgomery County Senior Citizens Association
  • Soldiers and Families Embraced Inc. (SAFE)
  • Power and Grace Preparatory Academy Inc.
  • Gateway Chamber Orchestra
  • Veterans Transitional Housing Program
  • Community Foundation of Clarksville/Montgomery County
  • Loaves and Fishes
  • Cats Are Us
  • Clarksville Montgomery County Arts and Heritage Development Council
  • Clarksville Montgomery Co. Adult Literacy Council
  • Leadership Clarksville
  • Mindful Kids Inc.

Gifts to nonprofits from the public will be boosted with additional financial prizes from sponsors of The Big Payback, and an online leaderboard will track donations in real time.

Donors will be able to search and select organizations based on location and focus area. Donors also can support multiple nonprofits and make gifts of any size with ease, from $10 and up.

Let’s come together online at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6 through 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 7 and give to the organizations that help make Middle Tennessee a place we’re proud to call home.

For more information, go to TheBigPayback.org.

RELATED: Nashville State Community College participates in The Big Payback